Orchids and the Maori Silver Fern.

 Saturday 6th June 2026 in Rugby.

 Early on Saturday morning we tackled the three Hillmorton Locks. Rain was forecast and had already started but it stopped just as we arrived at the top lock and held off until we left the bottom lock. Very good timing!

 

At the bottom lock pair at Hillmorton, several years ago, M had seen that there were orchids growing between the two side-by-side locks and remarked that they should be protected. There is now a notice to stop people disturbing them.

 

 These orchids are the "Early Purple" variety and there are dozens of them in that small area.  It pleased us enormously to see that they are being protected. It was interesting that, next day, M spotted the relatively rare Bee Orchid growing unnoticed on the towpath near Nuneaton. It has probably survived because passing folk are not aware of what it is.  We also saw some Common Spotted Orchids, the same variety as pops up year on year in our lawn back home!

  

We continued on to Rugby, where we passed nb "Inkling" again, moored opposite the park. 

 

Our favourite mooring is next to the Park under an old willow tree. Initially we had to squeeze in next to another boat nb "Te Ara Wei" and we fell into conversation with David, the owner, who was delightful. We then went out shopping and were very pleasantly surprised to find that, while we were out, they had moved across to the other side of the canal and had very kindly re-moored MM under the willow for us. Boaters are like that - they help each other!

 

David and his wife on Te Ara Wei had spent 13 years in New Zealand before coming back to the UK and moving on to their narrowboat. The name in Maori means "The Way of Memories" or "Waterway" and the symbol underneath is the "Koru", the Maori Silver Fern that symbolises new beginnings. So very appropriate. 

In 2012, our friends Grant and Katy, originally from New Zealand, were visited by Grant's parents, who came for a trip on MM and gave us a tile representing the Maori Fern; it still hangs on the wall in MM's kitchen. That was another celebration of new beginnings and we have decided that the fern should stay with MM to welcome her new owners.

Today: 3 Miles, 3 Locks and 1.6 hours.

Trip:83 Miles, 67 Locks and 42.5 Hours.